Posted: 11.29.2011

If the early numbers hold, the history books will show the hunters who filled Wisconsin woods in 2011 for the 9-day gun-deer season did their part to play it safe.

So far, we know of six hunting incidents during the gun-deer season that ended Sunday. No one died in any of these six incidents. These incidents occurred in the counties of Shawano, Waukesha, Clark, Polk and two in Iowa.

This would make it the second all-around safest hunt ever in Wisconsin. This year, 2011, would tie with 2007 when Wisconsin had 6 total incidents – with three of the six recorded as fatalities. The lowest number of incidents occurred in 2004 when there were four incidents and two of those were fatal.

If you like numbers, read on about the particulars of the 2011 season’s incidents:

• Three of the incidents occurred during deer drives.
• One incident involved two hunting parties.
• Two of the incidents were self-inflicted injuries.
• One incident and its victim involved a person who was not a licensed hunter, but was participating in a deer drive with a group.
• Four incidents involved rifles and two involved shotguns.
• Two of the incidents involved juvenile shooters.
• Four of the six shooters in these incidents had completed the Hunter Safety certification course.
• And, the average shooter in these six incidents is 31 years old and the average victim in these six events is 43 years old.

For the next several weeks, Wisconsin has deer and small game seasons. Please keep these seasons safe by following the 4 Rules of Firearm Safety:

1. Treat all firearms as if loaded.
2. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
3. Be sure of your target and beyond.
4. Keep finger outside the trigger guard until it is safe to shoot.

Hunting is as safe as it has ever been -- and getting safer.

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